Prediction of energy savings with anidolic integrated ceiling across different daylight climates

Abstract

The subject of this article is building energy saving on electrical lighting by anidolic integrated ceiling (AIC), compared in different daylight climates. This particular device collects diffuse daylight with an anidolic external collector and channels it into a reflective ceiling plenum. The exit apertures located at the rear of the room will discharge the daylight to the deep and gloomy zones of the room and thus reduce demand for electrical lighting. This paper analyses the savings on building energy for different locations. Two cases were studied with Singapore representing a location of high sun altitude and high building density, while Sheffield representing a location of lower sun altitude and moderate urban density. The performance criteria Daylight Autonomy (DA) was used to quantify the energy saving, after the AIC was integrated into the default ribbon window façade of a standard office room. Computational simulations show that more than 20% of energy for electrical lighting can be saved. The energy savings are quite similar for both locations, with 21% for Singapore and 26% for Sheffield. Therefore, it is valid to conclude that AIC is a universal remedy to improve daylighting and energy efficiency in deep buildings. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.